Cape Town to Hyderabad Flights

  About Cape Town

Located on the west of South Africa is the second-most populous city and culturally diverse Cape Town. The city is particularly famous for its diverse habitants and a thriving culture. Its urban setting close to the harbour makes it one of the most important cities in South Africa. Tourist spots such as Table Mountain and Cape of Good Hope tend to take up all the attention of tourists for the right reasons. Aside from the beautiful locales that the city is blessed with, the food and lifestyle of the city are exquisite. You will find delectable dishes from all over the world in the best possible global fusion scenario. The city further stands in the frontline as an advocate of climate change mitigation. The city sees an excellent footfall of travellers coming over from various parts of the world.

Best time to visit Cape Town

Cape Town's seasons are a contrast from the Indian months. Unlike how India witnesses summers between March to June, Cape Town sees summer from December to February. The same goes for most of their seasons. Although the summers of Cape Town sees tremendous tourists, it is the autumn month from March to May that is considered to be the best time for tourism. The season comes with several events and festivals, including the wine harvest month. The city easily turns its streets into a carnivalesque theme. During this season, the wineries around Cape Town allow tours and events for tourists to engage in. It is quite the gathering as you get to interact with wine connoisseurs from around the world.

You can also indulge in some of the fun activities by participating in the ones that take place during these tours. The temperature is also at an agreeable 20 degree Celsius to 25 degree Celsius. In the second half of the fall, the hotels start to drop their prices, making accommodation affordable. Festivals and events such as Cape Town Carnival, Infecting the City, Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Constantia Food and Wine Festival are some highlights that take place in March and May. This could be a good time for you to book hotels in Cape Town and relish the vibrant environment.

Not just the fall but even the springtime in Cape Town is quite beautiful. The popular attraction of Cape Town, Table Mountain blooms during this season and the temperature is also very favourable. For budget-travellers, this is the best time to visit the city. The hotel deals in Cape Town during this time is worth nabbing as they come at an affordable rate. Plus, festivals like Cape Town Diwali Festival and Cape Town International Kite Festival also adds to the city's vibrant atmosphere.

Places to visit in Cape Town

Cape Town has an audience for literally everything the city in the city! The biggest attraction in the city, though it has got to be Table Mountain. Towering over the gorgeous city of Cape Town, this place attracts tourists like fire does to moth. It's nestled within the Table Mountain National Park, which also encompasses Boulders Beach and the Cape of Good Hope as some other tourist attractions. You shouldn't miss any of those three as they each possess an interesting backdrop. You also have Camps Bay, which lies on the we3stern edge of Table Mountain. The quaint spot is perfect for soaking in all the cool breeze that the city boasts. In the city, you should walk around the District Six Museum and take a look at the city's compelling history. Bo-Kaap is known for its colourful street and indeed a sight for sore eyes. It is predominantly acquired by descendants of Cape Malays (slaves brought in from Malaysia, Indonesia, parts of African, by the Dutch). In the city, you also have Two Oceans Aquarium, located close to the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The aquarium will blow your mind with the plethora of marine creatures it hosts.

Things to do in Cape Town

Cape Town has far too many things to do as it is quite a vibrant city. However, you can start with a small tour to the Constantia Valley and explore the exquisite vineyard. From crisp whites to robust reds, you will get to witness how some of the finest wines are made in the city. Plus, the mansions where the wine is preserved in barrels is another lovely trip. After some wine tasting, you should also check out some of their restaurants with their abundance of cuisines, styles and flavours at your perusal. The Cape of Good Hope also houses adorable penguins that you can check out. They simply walk the shores of Cape Point and have a good time. As for the ardent shoppers, Greenmarket Square can be your source of entertainment.

Food and Restaurants in Cape Town

The city of Cape Town is a haven for global cuisine and a food-enthusiast. Not only does it entertain the plethora of dishes from around the globe but also caters to the varied tourists who flock over for wanderlust. Cape Town's unique food culture is popular and probably one of the highlights of the city. While there are some dishes that manage to stand out as Cape Town's classic dishes, much of the food is a global fusion. Since Cape Town was under the colonial rule of the Dutch and British, their menu reflects the same in terms of flavours, styles and techniques. Interestingly, Cape Town is also big on Indian food and has reserved a special spot for Indian cuisine. The best part about the city is how it brings together food from around the world and makes for rich food culture. The classic food includes fish and chips, grilled meat (your regular chicken, pork and beef), gatsby (a large sandwich stuffed with an array of meats, sauces and chips), bunny chow (classic South African delicacy made from chicken or beef), bobotie (minced beef mixed with milk and eggs custard) and more. Interestingly, the city also has the best sushi that won't disappoint you.

With so many dishes to try, don't forget to leave room for some dessert. Traditional sweets such as milk tart, koeksisters, malva pudding, etc., deserve your attention. These recipes are quite famous and definitely a good way to end a wholesome meal. To enjoy the best food in Cape Town, you should head to Kalky's, Snnoekies, The Golden Dish, Cosy Corner, Mzoli's Chef's Warehouse, Mzansi, to name a few. You will not run out of restaurants and food joints. Don't just spend time in the fancy restaurants but also check out some of the food joints by the corner of every street. They make just as amazing and delicious food that you'll probably not find elsewhere.

How to reach Cape Town (Transportation)

By Air

After Johannesburg, Cape Town is noted to be the second most popular city in South Africa which sees a great turnout of tourists from around the world. The best way to reach South Africa's Cape Town from India is easily by air. Major cities in India such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore have flights that fly to and from Cape Town. Although there are no direct or nonstop flights that fly from India to Cape Town, these flights mostly have layovers and travellers would often have to rush for connecting flights in the airport terminal. Airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Emirates and South African Airways, Kenya Airways are a few that directly connect to Cape Town. In terms of flight connectivity to Cape Town from India, it is quite decent as there are frequent flights available to the city.

Often the layovers or connecting flights would have to be taken from cities such as Istanbul, Addis Ababa, Dubai Johannesburg and more. The travel duration of flights to Cape Town is quite a lot depending on the international route that you pick. Since there are various options for layovers and routes to Cape Town, often people go for the cheap tickets. From India to Cape Town, flight tickets would be less expensive with more duration. Similarly, for shorter flight duration, the ticket cost of flights to Cape Town would be high-priced. Hence, you will have to be very mindful about your trip to Cape Town. Cheap flight tickets to Cape Town would come at the cost of flight duration.

By Rail

Many travellers often opt for flights to Johannesburg to reach Cape Town. Not only does this enable them to visit two cities during the trip but also check out the famous luxury train from Pretoria. Known to be one of the most opulent rails, Pretoria's domestic rail route connects to Cape Town, but it's a 27 hours long journey. The views through the trip though, along with the luxury of the train's services, is definitely worth the time. You will be pampered by the coach's posh treatment, not to mention how it will also be a good way to meet new people from other nationalities.

  About Hyderabad

Hyderabad, in Andhra Pradesh, is a city that flourished during the rule of the Nizams is a place that you must visit. While it is popular for the monuments and palaces that it boasts of, it also became popular for the increasing craze of cinema and the creative liberty that the artists took to create masterpieces. It is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, both. Hyderabadi is also known for introducing the best Biryanis to the world.

Though Hyderabad has flourished and developed a lot, it has also maintained some of its old charms to keep history alive. The Charminar, which literally translates to four minarets, is a major tourist attraction in Hyderabad. You must also visit the Ramoji Film City, which is a little further away from the main city but it is totally worth it. Not only will you get to visit the magnificent film sets but you will also come across a lot of stories about the place. If you're lucky, you might even run into your favourite actor.

Hyderabadi food tends to be more on the spicier side, and if your taste buds can handle it, you'll want to pack some of it and take it back home. Apart from the monuments and palaces, Hyderabad also has a spot for all you shopaholics. It is known for its pearl jewellery. You get the best pearl and silver jewellery in the city and at an affordable price, too. The city is also popular for the Karachi Bakery, where you get the most delicious cookies, biscuits and other snacks. There's one near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, too. Make sure you stop by to take home some delicious snacks for your family and friends.

Hyderabad also has quite a lot of clubs, fancy restaurants and malls for the youngsters. You'll find a lot of upcoming new cafes and coffee breweries in the city, too. The city has a blend of old and new traditions. The Golconda Fort is a popular tourist attraction in Hyderabad. It is one of India's many architectural wonders and is built on a 400-feet high granite hill. There is a particular location below the entrance dome under which, if you clap, it will be heard a kilometre away at a pavilion. This is one of the major accomplishments of the fort, and this was made so a message could be delivered to the royals in advance, in case there was an impending attack. It was built in the 12th century and is a highly recommended place to visit.

The Chowmahalla Palace was built in the 18th century, and it spells grandeur. Spot the Belgian crystal chandeliers and white marble floors that will make you want to redecorate your own house. The Hussain Sagar Lake is an artificial lake that used to be Hyderabad's water supply before two more lakes were built. A statue of Buddha is lit up at night and stands tall in the middle of the lake. You can go boating here and soak in the serene view. The sunset is breathtaking from the lake.

The Ramoji Film City is the world's biggest film studio complex and welcomes tourists from all over the country. You can even book a hotel within the complex since it is quite far away from the city. You can opt for a tour guide who will show you around the city or one of the tour buses that have a group of tourists to get around the complex. If you are lucky, you might even come across your favourite celebrity in the film complex.

Best Time to Visit Hyderabad

Hyderabad witnesses winters from November to February. The temperature drops down to 13 degrees Celsius and goes up to 25 degree Celsius maximum. Winters are quite chilly and are also ideal for sightseeing in the city. This is also the best time for you to go shopping and there are chances that the markets will be crowded since it's the peak season for the city.

It rains in Hyderabad from August to October. It gets rainfall that's moderate to heavy, which works really well since the city becomes greener. The rains are quite unpredictable, and it might make you sit in your hotel room instead of venturing out. But you can head out when the rainfall is mediocre.

Hyderabad sees a long summer that starts from March and lasts till July. May and July witness the highest temperatures that also brings in humidity. Summer is not a very favourable time for you to plan your trip to Hyderabad, but you can visit the city during winter or the initial days of monsoon.

Places to visit in Hyderabad

The Golconda Fort is one of the oldest and an important place to visit in Hyderabad. Ruins of the fort are worth visiting. It gives you a sneak peek into the history, and you'll even come across a few untold stories. Charminar is yet another monument that is deemed important and is buzzing with tourists all year round.

Ramoji Film City is also one of the most popular destinations in Hyderabad. It is the world's biggest film studios complex, and it even says so in the Guinness World Book of Records. Since Ramoji Film City is quite far from the city, you should dedicate an entire day to exploring the film studio complex. You can book an accommodation stay or within the complex to avoid hectic travelling.

The Hussain Sagar Lake is another major attraction and best way to spend the evening. Catch the sunset at the manmade lake and grab your favourite chaat at the stalls around the lake. Chowmahalla Palace is another place you must visit to experience the grandiose and luxe of palace life.

Things to do in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is a city for all kinds of tourists. You can go on a historical tour to all the monuments, forts and museums or you can go partying at some of the most happening places. Or just make a list of restaurants that are popular in the city and eat at all of them. Book a tour to the Ramoji Film City instead of trying to take things in your own hands. It will be more comfortable, and you won't feel all lost when you reach the location on your own. Not to mention, a tour guide always has interesting, untold stories to tell while taking you on tour. Go for a drive at the Queen's Necklace in the evening, and you won't regret it. It will be an evening well spent.

You can also visit the NTR Gardens which was made as a tribute to former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and celebrated actor, NT Rama Rao. If you are travelling with your kids, they will surely enjoy spending time here. Learn more about the history of Hyderabad and everything that has changed over time. Hyderabad is also known for the gems that it sells. You can buy as many pearl or silver jewellery as you please. There are a lot of authentic jewellery stores in the city where you will find precisely what you want without shelling out more money.

Food and Restaurants in Hyderabad

You can order a Hyderabadi Biryani wherever you go in Hyderabad. It's one of the most famous biryanis in the country, and you can order it without hesitating from any restaurant that you find. Try the Boti Kebab at Hotel Shadab in Ghansi Bazaar or Paradise at Paradise Circle in Secunderabad. It's a special kebab that you will enjoy from the first till the last bite. Qubani Ka Meetha is yet another Hyderabadi dessert that you must try. While you are at Hotel Shadab, do try the Mirchi ka Salan, another popular dish in Hyderabad.

How to reach Hyderabad

By Air

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is the nearest airport to Hyderabad but is quite far away from the main city. The flight connectivity is pretty strong. It connects all the domestic routes to Hyderabad and international routes from the city, too. All the major cities are well-connected by air. Do look for decent flight deals online and see if you can manage to get cheap flight tickets. Though the main city is quite far from the airport, you will get a private taxi or bus quite easily from the airport.

By Rail

Hyderabad is well-connected to all the other cities by rail through Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kachiguda railway stations. Most trains that are travelling to and from major metropolitan cities pass through Secunderabad station. Train journeys are quite comfortable, and if you do not have any time constraints, you can opt for a train journey.

By Road

Buses and private taxis run to and from Hyderabad quite frequently. In fact, you can get private buses that run to Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, too. There are quite buses connecting Andhra Pradesh to other neighbouring states, too.

  About Hyderabad Airport

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport or Hyderabad Airport serves as the international airport to the city of Hyderabad in Telangana state. The airport is situated about 24 km in the South of Hyderabad, in Shamshabad. The Hyderabad Airport has one passenger terminal which caters to both, domestic and international airlines. The airport also has a cargo terminal as well as two runways. An aviation training facility is also prevalent at the airport along with a fuel farm and a solar power plant. It is recognized as the sixth busiest airport in India, in terms of passenger traffic. The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport also caters as a hub to airlines such as Alliance Air, SpiceJet, Lufthansa Cargo, TruJet, Quikjet Cargo and IndiGo. Hyderabad is a focus city for Air India.

About Hyderabad Airport Terminals

The Hyderabad International Airport has one only terminal which integrates the domestic and international sides of terminals. The area covered is 1,133,000 sq ft and has a scope to accommodate 12 million passengers in a year. While the western wing of the airport terminal takes care of the international flights, the eastern side takes cate of domestic flight operations. There are about 96 check-in counters, 19 self-check-in kiosks and close to 46 counters of immigration. A total of nine gates are present at the airport, located on the south of the terminal whereas there are two more in the north. Passenger lounge facilities are available and provided by the Plaza Premium Lounge. Separate lounges for VIP are also available in the terminal. The airport has ten aerobridges and about 57 parking bays. GHIAL recently added 26 more parking bays to the are, taking the new tally to 83 parking bays.

About airport authority

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport or RGIA is possessed and operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. (GHIAL). It is a public-private undertaking which comprises of public entities, including the Airports Authority of India and the Government of Telangana, along with private organizations namely, GMR Group and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad. While the AAI and Government of Telangana hold 13 per cent respectively, the private entities such as GMR Group and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad have 63 and 11 per cent holdings respectively. According to the agreement acknowledged by GHIAL and the Central Government, GHIAL has the right to function the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport for 30 years. Further from the completion of the years, GHIAL further receives an option to choose if they wish to continue another 30 years of association.

Facilities at Hyderabad Airport

Special assistance - The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has provisions to cater to the travellers ranging from escorting senior citizens to portage facilities. Some of the special assistance features include asking for baby strollers, to help expectant mothers or senior citizens with wheelchairs, helping passengers with mobility issues, helping accompany minors, catering to passengers who are travelling with pets, buggy services and other such concerns. You can avail the services at the information desk. Or you can make prior intimation with the airlines that would help the staff be prepared for your demands.

VIP facilities - The airport does have several VIP services available. As it is one of the top 10 international airports in the country, the services are quite world-class, including the lounge accommodation. There are meeting rooms and lounge areas for travellers with first-class or business class tickets. There are showers and spas also available at the airport to help in-transit passengers to relax. In fact, the VIP lounges and hotels where travellers can relax before they take their connecting flight.

Restaurants and cafes - You will find some excellent restaurants and food establishments at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. This includes small food and beverage kiosks and a dedicated food court. There are global food joints such as KFC, Subway, McDonald's and more. Some of them are also available at the departure and arrival areas. The departure zones at domestic and international terminals also have upscale restaurants and bars that you can check out.

Lost and found - The airport also offers lost and found services that you can avail. The centre is open 24/7, so you can visit the room whenever there is an item that you have lost. You will need your boarding card, photo identity card (this could include passport, visa, driver's licence, voter's card, etc.) and a proof that substantiates the fact that you are the rightful owner of the lost item. In case you are unable to visit the lost and found centre yourself, you can send a representative. However, while you do that, you will need to provide an authorized letter from the passenger and include a description of the lost item. The said person will also need to show relevant ID proofs.

Prayer room - Rajiv Gandhi International Airport also has convenient prayer/multifaith rooms within the premise of the passenger terminal building. There are two rooms present at the airport.

Baggage - The luggage facilities at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport are also top-notch. As the airport caters to domestic and international passengers, the airport does have luggage services include wrapping and porter facilities. To avoid theft and mishandling of luggage, you can opt for baggage plastic wrapping. There are trolleys also available at the departure and arrival gates of the terminal building.

Child care centre - There are dedicated child care rooms available at the arrival and departure zones of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The rooms are well-maintained and cleaned properly. The airport staff also keep the child care rooms clean and sanitized. There are baby products also available as are provisions of a comfortable chair for feeding and changing table for a diaper change.

Medical services - The airport also reserved medical services to aid to emergency cases. They are available at proper intervals to ensure that the help arrives quickly in time of immediate assistance. You can also visit the information desk to get hold of some medical assistance. The medical services are provided by Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited. It is a 24/7 service with pharmacy and paramedics. The airport also has well-trained doctors available who cater to the treatment centre. There is a dedicated ambulance service also available at the airport.

Airport transit hotel - One of the highlights of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is that the airport accommodates a hotel for in-transit passengers. You can get more details on the same at the information desk, available at all intervals. The airport has lodge services with AC and Non-AC dorms. The prices of the same are mentioned on the website of GHIAL as well as at the information desk. You can further opt for deluxe rooms and shower booths as well, to freshen up.

Top airlines flying from Hyderabad Airport

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is known to serve about 18 international destinations and 45 domestic cities. As one of the top ten busiest airports in India, Hyderabad Airport's connectivity in terms of domestic as well as international cities is excellent. It manages to connect several cities and is also known to operate a plethora of airlines. The Hyderabad airport is recognized to serve domestic airlines such as Air India, Alliance Air, Vistara, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and TruJet. Not just major cities in India but Hyderabad also provides great service to connect to smaller cities and towns too. While the prominent domestic airlines from Hyderabad Airport cater to major cities such as Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Pune, Visakhapatnam and Guwahati, it also has connectivity with smaller cities.

As the city also caters to connecting 18 international destinations, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport also has tremendous globally recognized airlines. Air Arabia, Air Asia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Gulf Air, Jazeera Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Silkair, Srilankan Airlines, Thai Airways and Flynas, are some of the airlines that operate from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The airport also plays the role of connecting domestic cities to international airlines to fly abroad. Cities such as Sharjah, Kuwait, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, London, Colombo-Bandaranaike, Doha, to name a few, have good connectivity from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

How to reach Hyderabad Airport

Thanks to the services provided by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation, the accessibility to reach Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is excellent. There are direct buses that are provided for individuals travelling from the city centre to the airport. It is one of the most comfortable transport facilities to reach Hyderabad Airport. A flyover was constructed to reach the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport without facing excess traffic. The flyover has been constructed on the National Highway 44 and National Highway 765, interspersed with the Outer Ring Road. Called the PV Narasimha Rao Expressway, the flyover is perfect and helps reach the Hyderabad Airport without dealing with the city traffic. Although the Hyderabad Metro Rail's second phase is in the works to connect a line to the airport terminal, it is still in the process. Taxi cabs are the best modes of transport that can be considered to reach Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.